Some of the issues highlighted during the meeting included the lack of inclusion in significant projects and the failure of companies to fulfill their corporate social responsibilities.
The leaders expressed worries over the lack of major infrastructural developments in the area , and their activities without local involvement.
The issue of unequal implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in certain communities was also among the issues discussed and this resulted in the appointing of competent representatives to advocate for community interests.
They also stressed the need for proactive and strategic engagement with oil companies, underlining the importance of recognizing and supporting initiatives like NC4GD, which endeavours to spearhead the development of Ndokwa communiities
The leaders who identified several measures that could be put in place in order to address the community’s grievances to include, establishment of committees to raise awareness about the benefits of the PIA among the host community, devising a comprehensive blueprint for addressing community development needs, and forming a media team to interact with both local and international media platforms.
Other measures according to the leaders were, to constitute a legal team that would help to provide periodic counsel on relevant legislation and strategies, a labour and employment committee which would help in facilitating job opportunities in compliance with local content laws.
The leaders also resolved in the regular engagement with statutory oil and gas agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
In the Ndokwa area of the state, there are Oil and Gas companies operating in all the communities. Some of the companies are Agip Oil, that operates the largest Gas Company in Sub Saharian Africa, StEEPCO, Mid-Western Petroleum Company, Platforms Oil Production, and numerous others.
Each of these companies had been accused of neglecting their host communities in one way and the other.
The unanimous condemnation of oil companies’ disregard for Ndokwa communities’ interests underscores a growing sense of dissatisfaction among host communities in the Niger Delta region.
As they press forward with their collective action plans, the community plans to effect meaningful change and ensure their voices resonate in the ongoing discourse surrounding oil and gas operations in the area.
The leaders, however, called on Ndokwa elected members in both the State House of Assembly and National Assembly to ensure that they use their positions to bring dividends of governance to the region.
They stressed the need for them to ensure that their doors remain open to the people and work assiduously to attract development to the area.
The leaders also condemned the actions of some of their representatives who had refused to act in the interests of their constituents.
The meeting was Convened by Mr, Ossai Udom, and moderated by Eunice Pen-Ogbolu and Engr. Ike Onyenokwe.
